Lawmakers pass bill inspired by refugee student

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – A measure that would allow students who are ruled ineligible to play high school sports to appeal the decision with a third-party arbitrator will go to Gov. Bobby Jindal for final consideration.

The House voted 54-38 Thursday for Baton Rouge Sen. Dan Claitor’s measure, which would require the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to have a third-party arbitrator to rule on eligibility decisions when requested by the student.

The Republican lawmaker brought the bill on behalf of Clement Mubungirwa, a 19-year-old Ugandan refugee who was kicked off his football team by the association for being too old to play.

Opponents argued legislators should not meddle in a private entity’s decisions. But supporters said it would ensure fairness for students.